Home / Football / LaLiga News Former Barcelona forward slams Kylian Mbappes critics and names six players not good enough for Real Madrid Kylian Mbappe has scored 38 goals in 33 games for Real Madrid this season Written by Jon Fisher Last Update: February 24, 2026 09:02:38 am GMT 3 min read Former France World Cup winner Christoph Dugarry has defended countryman Kylian Mbappe from criticism and highlighted six of his Real Madrid team-mates who he believes are not up to par. Mbappe has looked a shadow of his usual self in recent games and is reportedly struggling with a knee injury. That has led to some pundits questioning his desire at the Santiago Bernabeu but Dugarry says the focus should be switched elsewhere.I find it quite surprising that Real Madrids problems are due solely to Mbapp. At some point we have to stop exaggerating, he told the Rothen senflame programme. If the Spaniards no longer want him, let them return him. Maybe hell leave and make someone else happy, I dont know. But I find it quite surprising, honestly.Table of Contents1 Kylian Mbappe stats this season2 Too many Real Madrid players are overrated3 You have to prove yourself at Real MadridKylian Mbappe stats this seasonGamesGoalsLa Liga2323Champions League813Copa del Rey12Spanish Super Cup10Too many Real Madrid players are overratedDugarry came through at Bordeaux before short spells at AC Milan and Barcelona and used his own experiences to highlight his point about Real Madrid.He added: I think there are too many players in this Real Madrid squad who are not Real Madrid players. They are overrated, Im sorry. I have also had the opportunity to play in great clubs. In Barcelona, I didnt wear the shirt much, and theres a reason for that tooThere were a few surprises in the sextet of players named by Dugarry as not being good enough for Madrid, including two France midfielders and a Uruguay international widely regarded as being among the clubs best players.These are clubs that aspire to the stars, they are the best, and I think there are players who are not up to par, he said. They have been there for a long time, I think of [Eduardo] Camavinga, [Arda] Gler, [Federico] Valverde, [Aurelien] Tchouamni [Raul] Asencio, who came out of nowhere and became a starter because there were a lot of injuries. He showed himself to be a good player, but he is not a Real Madrid centre half. [David] Alaba is injured and only plays one week every three months; he is not at that level.You have to prove yourself at Real MadridMadrid have garnered a reputation for picking up Europes best players on free transfers Mbappe, for example but Dugarry says that is not the way a top club should operate.He said: I have the impression that they signed many players whose contracts were about to expire because they had fewer resources available. When you play in clubs like that, you have to prove that you are a great player for a season, lead your team, be decisive; that is the difference between the level we experience daily in our national leagues and that of Real Madrid.You cant spend two, three or four years in a club like this and always play at the same level, with a good game, a mediocre game, a game here, a game there There are too many players who are too inconsistent. Topics: Real Madrid CF Follow us: Jon Fisher Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events. Read more from Jon Fisher
